The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)

Album: Rockihnroll (1981)
Charted: 15
Play Video
  • We had broken up for good
    Just an hour before
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    And now I'm staring at the bodies
    As they're dancing 'cross the floor
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    And then the band slowed the tempo
    And the music gets you down
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    It was the same old song
    With a melancholy sound
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah

    They don't write 'em like that anymore
    They just don't write 'em like that anymore
    We'd been living together for a million years
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    But now it feels so strange out in the atmospheres
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    And then the jukebox plays a song I used to know
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    And now I'm staring at the bodies
    As they're dancing so slow
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, aah

    They don't write 'em like that anymore
    They don't write 'em like that anymore

    Mm, now I wind up staring at an empty glass
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah
    'Cause it's so easy to say
    That she'll forget your past
    Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, aah

    They don't write 'em like that anymore
    No, they just don't write 'em like that anymore
    They don't write 'em like that anymore
    They just don't write 'em like that anymore
    They just don't, no, they don't, no no, uh-uh
    They just don't write 'em like that anymore
    They just don't Writer/s: Gary Phillips, Gregory Stanley Kihn, Stephen Alan Wright
    Publisher: Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Tony from NySuch a great song. Yes, simple as he said, but I always lumped it in with New Wave…super energetic.
  • Ken from San Mateo, CaThis was his best album - too bad there are no other songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?